TCF chats Rallycross with Andrew Jordan

2013 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title winner Andrew Jordan is no stranger to Rallycross, having come up through the ranks from entering grassroots national series at the age of 14, within a year he was BTRDA Junior Rallycross champion, and took the title of best newcomer in the British Junior series.

The following year saw Jordan become champion in Junior Rallycross, BTRDA Rallycross, Super Series Junior and also took the Ginetta Winter Series. By 2007 he had become the youngest ever driver and race winner in the British Rallycross Supercar class and was runner up in the British Rallycross Championship, having taken three wins throughout the season.

At this point Jordan’s Rallycross career ended as he concentrated on tin-tops with a year in the Renault Clio Cup before moving in to the British Touring Car Championship.

Fast forward to 2014 and Jordan made a return to Rallycross as he entered in to the second round of the FIA World Rallycross Championship at Lydden Hill as a wildcard for the Olsbergs MSE team in their Ford Fiesta; Jordan would go on to show up the regular Rallycross drivers to take third that weekend, a feat that impressed many onlookers.

TCF took some time out to speak with Andrew to get his thoughts on the current Rallycross field and what the future holds.

TCF: 2015 has seen the competition up their game as a whole, who has impressed you the most this season?

AJ: It has to be Timmy Hansen, his speed, consistency and attitude has been very impressive to watch, it would have been interesting to see the points if they had started the season with the car speed they have now. He has a great mentor in his dad and they work very well together, he will be World Champ in the next couple of years I think.

TCF: There is plenty of supporting action with Euro RX, Super1600 and RX Lites, who do you tip to be a future WRX star?

AJ:Kevin Hansen has a career in Supercars I am sure but Bryntasson in the Lites has been very impressive, smooth, fast and no mistakes. If he gets a good break from a WRX team I am sure he will be impressive.

I think Mattias Ekstrom will win, over the last few events especially Turkey he was the fastest package and is due some good luck in a final. Petter Solberg will be champion again and it would be very much deserved. Hes a class act and has done the best job over the complete season.

Mattias Ekstrom in action – Credit: @tWorld / Red Bull Content Pool

TCF: How do the fans compare from BTCC to WRX?

AJ: I think because at WRX they only have one event in their country the WRX fans seem to make the weekend a complete party as well as watching the race, look at the Sweden event… Its like a festival with a RX event.

TCF: Out of the current BTCC field who do you think would make a good transition in to WRX?

AJ:Mat Jackson would probably go the best in a RX car out of the other drivers in BTCC, he seems to not mind the car moving around and drives with real feel.

TCF: Do you have any Rallycross outings pencilled in for next season yet?

AJ:Working real hard on RX at the minute, hoping to do at least Lydden but time will tell….

Tom Onslow-Cole – Credit: FIA World Rallycross Championship / IMG

TCF: Former BTCC racer Tom Onslow-Cole won the MSA Backed RX talent search and drove in the Turkish round, how important do you think schemes like this are?

AJ: I think schemes are important. 1. to give people a good opportunity but 2. To actually open young drivers eyes that these days you can make a living out of driving a RX car, it doesnt have to be just racing or Rallying now.

TCF: You came up from the grassroots of Rallycross, do you still keep an eye on the club and national competitions? If so who do you think will be the next big star in Rallycross?

AJ:Dan Rooke is very quick, He did the lites shoot out and was one of the fastest, if he gets a break then he will go far I feel.